At the trust's annual meeting last week, trust chairman Terry Stevens, of Gibbston, thanked trustees, volunteers and representatives from the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) and the Department of Conservation (Doc) Wakatipu area office for their support.
However, Mr Stevens said the nonprofit organisation did not achieve good results with the tourism industry.
"We believe a world-class walking and cycling network has tremendous benefits for tourism and this is a relationship which continues to represent a real opportunity."
In his chairman's report, Mr Stevens said two out of three adults in New Zealand chose walking as their favourite recreational activity.
Nearly one in four chose cycling and that number was growing rapidly.
"Tourists list walking [and] cycling among their top three activities while on holiday.
Our aim is to serve both locals and visitors alike."
Mr Stevens said while the trust was able to fund some key projects this year, fundraising would be the biggest challenge in the future.
"We recognised the impact the recession and economic meltdown has had on our traditional funding sources.
We saw our requested funding restricted by both the Community Trust of Southland and the Central Lakes Trust.
"We have seen the budget pressures on both Doc and QLDC, while ORC [Otago Regional Council] has been noticeably absent."
Mr Stevens reviewed the additions to the trail network.
Stage one of the Gorge Rd track was completed, the critical link through Millbrook Resort opened in March, and signs were completed for the popular Lake Hayes track, he said.
Significant work had been done on the Seven Mile delta to upgrade the track, and the Gibbston River trail consents and easements were completed, with much of the funding secured.
"Agreements were made with council and funding organised for the Kelvin Peninsula upgrade, Jardine Park to Jacks Pt upgrade agreements with Doc are in place, along with funding of the upgrade and five years of maintenance."
Mr Stevens said the Gibbston River Trail, Kelvin Peninsula and Jardine Park to Jacks Pt were all scheduled to begin construction this spring, "with completion only months away".
Queenstown Lakes Mayor Clive Geddes paid tribute to founding trustees Sue Bradley and deputy chairman Tony Moore, who have concluded their six-year terms.
Mr Geddes presented the volunteers with certificates of recognition.
"Clive spoke very movingly of the great partnership the council has with the trust and the great contributions that Sue and Tony have made individually and collectively over the years," trust chief executive Kaye Parker told the Queenstown Times.
Ms Parker works with volunteer Linda Brown at the trust's office on Glenda Dr.
Mr Stevens returned as chairman and Angus Welsh returned as treasurer.
There are 321 Friends of The Wakatipu Trails Trust.
